Betrayal: Chapter 3

Another chapter! Hooray! Sorry for the wait, I've been really busy (Three words: Half Blood Prince) But I've got chapters 4 and 5 written in my mind, so stay tuned. I do not own POTO. I mean, if I did, do you think I'd be writing crummy fanfiction? I think not. I'd probably be rolling in my money mountains and riding my unicorn.

Once again, I don't have SpellCheck at the moment, so bare with me.

Oh, and I almost forgot-review thank-yous!

Arwen1604-Squee! Thank-you Emmy (my puppy) says hello. I wasn't sure if the killing thing was too "hi im erik im sad and i want to die", but I guess it wasn't. Waiting patiently for Loved and Lost!

Melinda Daae- I made someone scream! Woo! Thank you for the review!

Angel of Mystery- Mmm sexy Erik smile...thankyou!

Emily-Hehe! Thank you! By the way, I'm thinking of actually writing the barbershop story...with credits to you, of course! And don't worry, I will not forget that Emily was here.

Tasha- Thank you! And by the way, St. John Abulence is a CPR training program in Canada (I don't know if it's in the states...I'd have to check.) But it's not a hospital. Thanks for the concern!

What are you talking about? The authors note is most CERTAINLY NOT longer than the story itself...thats crazy talk...

At last, the end to their problems! The night before, Raoul pitched his idea to the managers, who agreed without a moments hesitation.

"The Phantom fellow wont have a clue!" Andre laughed as he and Firmin strolled into their office.

"And Christine Daae-live bait!" Firmin agreed with a grin. "I knew there was more to that Victome than money. I knew it all along!"

But Andre had stopped laughing. Firmin stared at the shorter man, watching his troubled expression. In his hand he held an envelope. An envelope with a red skull seal. He frowned and opened it up, throwing the opened envelope onto the desk. Andre groaned and threw the letter at Firmrin, who read it quickly.

Managers-

My paycheck, please.

-O.G.

"Why, that...that..." Firmin's face was red as he tore the note to shreds. Andre rested one hand on the desk. He sighed finally, a small grin on his face.

"Firmin, we'll give the monster what he wants. It's not like he'll get much chance to use it!" He grinned, a small plan growing in his head. Firmin stared at him, quite clueless.

"What do you mean?"

"Don't you see, Firmin?" Andre cried. "The monster must have money hoarded away somewhere, and once we kill him, we are going to find it!"

Realization began to appear on Firmin's face. "We can use it for the theatre!"

"Or we can use it for ourselves."

"We could buy a better building!"

"Or we could both buy better houses!"

"But whatever happens, the Phantom will-"

"Unintentionally make us-"

"Very, very rich!"

Firmin and Andre began to laugh as they shut off the lamp and packed up for home.

But hidden in the deep shadows, another sat listening.

"Fools."

Christine woke up early, hoping to speak to Erik. But all she found was a note, written in his ink and hand, on her desk.

We will speak tonight. And if any questions are asked, LIE.

Tonight was much too long to wait! Christine pouted, but changed quickly. She'd woken early, yes, but if she wanted to get breakfast before rehearsal, she needed to be fast. She opened her door and almost jumped a mile at the sight of Raoul.

"Good moring, Christine!" he said with a cheery smile. Christine smiled back, a little uncertainly.

"Um, good morning, dear...what are you-"

"I thought I'd take you to breakfast!" he grinned.

"Wha a lovely idea! But you haven't been there...all night, have you?"

"Heavens, no! I had to clear some things with the managers, of course. I came to your room around two hours ago, but you were still sleeping quite peacefully."

He had no idea. Christine nodded and laughed, taking his arm. Raoul kissed her gently on the cheek, and she reminded herself to keep acting.

He took her to a small cafe not to far from the opera. Once ther orders came, he cleared his throat gently.

"I wanted to talk to you about the phantom."

Christine moaned, knowing wha was to come. If any questions are asked, LIE.

"If it has to do wth my Don Juan performance, I do not wish to hear it." Christine replied simply, aking a small bite of egg. Raoul sighed.

"Chistine, I know you are reluctant-"

"MORE than reluctant."

"More than reluctant, but it's important. Do you understand?"

"Of course," Christine replied coldly, not daring to look him in the eye. Raoul sighed again, folding his hands neatly on his lap.

"Things will get better, Christine."

"I have no doubt of it."

"It's for the safety of our future."

"And what a future it will be! A life without my angel!" Don't cry, don't cry. Erik will save you. And you will marry him. She shook away her tears and forced a bitter smile. Raoul, however, could not keep his anger in check.

"He is not an angel! He is nothing but a man, at best! I hate him!" e eyed her carefully. "But of course, you do not."

"Of course I do not! He is MY angel! And you will be smart not to speak badly of him again!"

Raoul frowned. He reached across to pat her hand, but she jerked it back quickly.

"Let's not argue, Christine." Raoul sighed, slightly hurt. Christine stood up and tucked in her chair.

"Then you will leave Erik alone." And without another word, she left.

He placed the note on her desk, pairing it with the single blood red rose. He fingered the satin bow for only a moment, then dissapeared behind the mirror.

The day seemed to stretch on for an unlimited period of time. The first day on a new production was always the most hectic. Christine was the lead, of course. But as she read over the lyrics for the main song, Point of No Return, she felt quite out of place.

"The words, they are so...seductive!" Christine cried to Meg once they were on their break.

"The cannot be too racy, can they?"

"A drect line: 'In my ind I've already imagined our bodies entwining, defenceless and silent'."

"Well..." Meg grinned, raising a eyebrow. "I doubt he's actually known that kind of thing, has he?"

"No, I suppose he hasn't..."

"I mean, you tell me he's been living in solitude all his life...when would he have the oppurtunity?"

"He wouldn't..." Christine replied. He'd never been loved, much less...

"Then it must be his lust in the song!" Meg giggled. Christine nodded, but was still deep in thought. She hadn't thought...she'd always thought of her angel as pure, not concerning himself with that sort of thing...She'd never thought of him...wanting that sort of thing...Did he want it of her?

Christine shook her head. The break was over.

Raoul made his way to her dressing room, a large bouquet in his hands. He was such a fool! Christine had already been acting distant, why did he have to push her away further? He pulled out the key and placed it into the door. Ah, the advantages of being the patron...

"Christine?" He asked as he walked into the room. It was empty. Of corse, rehearsals! Chuckling to himself, he placed the flowers into an empty vase. He'd just leave a note, stating his apology. He went to her and grabbed a piece of paper. But before he could begin to write, his eyes caught on something red. A note. From him! He snatched it up and read it, furiously.

Tonight, my love, we hatch our plan. I hope you do not fear heights.

Your only,

Your Erik

They were planning something. Against him! He tore the letter to shreds. He and Christine would have to have a little chat.

Yay Chapter 3 is done! -does happy dance-

PS: The idea for the managers plan I kind of borrowed from Christine by Arwen1604 (EXCELLENT, excellent story) I hope she doesn't mind! It won't be done as well as it was in Christine, don't worry.